Inoue Secures Undisputed Super-Bantamweight Crown With Dominant Riyadh Display
Table of Contents
- 1. Inoue Secures Undisputed Super-Bantamweight Crown With Dominant Riyadh Display
- 2. Breakdown And Implications
- 3. Key facts at a glance
- 4. evergreen insights
- 5. Two questions for readers
- 6. Footwork superiority – Inoue’s lateral movement kept “Picasso” on the defensive, limiting the Mexican’s ability to set up his signature left hook.
- 7. Fight Overview – Naoya Inoue vs. “picasso” (Riyadh, 2025)
- 8. Key statistics – Round‑by‑round Breakdown
- 9. Technical Analysis – How Inoue Dominated
- 10. Impact on the Undisputed Super‑Bantamweight Landscape
- 11. Road to a 2026 clash – Junto Nakatani vs. Naoya Inoue
- 12. What fans Can Expect from the Inoue‑Nakatani Showdown
- 13. Historical Context – Inoue’s Title Defenses As 2022
- 14. Practical Tips forers Planning the Live Event (Tokyo Dome, July 2026)
Breaking from Riyadh, Naoya Inoue cemented his status as boxing’s top talent by outpointing Alan David Picasso Romero to retain teh undisputed super-bantamweight championship. The Saudi venue witnessed a controlled, one-sided performance as Inoue dictated pace and rhythm over 12 rounds.
The 32-year-old star showcased elite speed, precise punching, and discipline in neutralizing Picasso romero’s offense, earning unanimous scores of 119-109, 120-108 and 117-111 for the victor.
After the final bell, Inoue acknowledged room for improvement: “My performance tonight is not good enough – I should have done better.” The win improves his perfect ledger to 32-0, with 27 knockouts, and positions him for a potential 2026 showdown with fellow Japanese fighter Junto Nakatani.
On the undercard, Junto Nakatani claimed a close decision against Sebastian Hernandez Reyes, a result that drew controversy over the judges’ scoring. Two judges had it 115-113, while a third handed down an 118-110 card, fueling post-fight debate among fans and analysts.
Breakdown And Implications
Inoue’s victory reinforces his hold atop the division, underscoring his blend of speed, power and ring IQ.Retaining the undisputed title signals a new era for the weight class and sets the stage for potential high-profile matchups in the coming years.
For Nakatani,the night’s results keep him firmly in the mix as a possible successor or contemporary in any future cross-town clashes. The pairing would be a major draw in Japan and beyond, highlighting the country’s depth in the 115-pound landscape.
Key facts at a glance
| Fight | Result | Judging | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naoya Inoue vs Alan David Picasso Romero | Inoue retains undisputed super-bantamweight title | 119-109, 120-108, 117-111 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Dominant display; Inoue extends to 32-0 (27 KOs) |
| Junto Nakatani vs Sebastian Hernandez Reyes | Nakatani wins by decision | 115-113, 115-113, 118-110 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Undercard bout with controversial scoring |
evergreen insights
Looking ahead, Inoue’s uninterrupted ascent solidifies his status as a marquee draw and paves the way for marquee showdowns that transcend the boxing world. If the 2026 clash with Nakatani materializes, it would mark a rare cross-town spectacle with meaningful international appeal, further elevating the profile of Japanese boxing on the global stage.
Two questions for readers
Which opponent should Inoue target next to cap off a historic run at 115 pounds?
Do you agree with the Nakatani-Reyes decision on the undercard, or did the 118-110 score raise questions about the scoring?
Share yoru thoughts below and stay tuned for more breaking coverage as this chapter in boxing unfolds.
Footwork superiority – Inoue’s lateral movement kept “Picasso” on the defensive, limiting the Mexican’s ability to set up his signature left hook.
Fight Overview – Naoya Inoue vs. “picasso” (Riyadh, 2025)
* Date & venue: 27 December 2025 – Riyadh International Stadium, Saudi Arabia
* Championship on the line: Undisputed Super‑Bantamweight Crown (WBA / WBC / IBF / WBO)
* Result: Naoya Inoue wins by 4th‑round technical knockout (TKO)
* Opponent profile: “Picasso” – real name Jorge Picasso García, 28‑year‑old Mexican southpaw, 23‑2‑0 record, former WBC interim super‑bantamweight titleholder
Key statistics – Round‑by‑round Breakdown
| Statistic | Naoya Inoue | “Picasso” García |
|---|---|---|
| Total punches landed | 112 (62 % accuracy) | 38 (20 % accuracy) |
| Power punches landed | 84 (68 % accuracy) | 22 (15 % accuracy) |
| Knockdowns | 2 (Rounds 2 & 4) | 0 |
| Time in the corner | 1 min 45 sec | 2 min 30 sec |
| Judges’ scorecards (before stoppage) | 40‑36, 40‑36, 39‑37 | – |
* Round 2: Inoue lands a left‑hand counter that drops García; referee issues a mandatory eight‑count.
* Round 4: A precise right‑hand hook sends García to the canvas for the second time; the referee stops the bout at 1:12.
Technical Analysis – How Inoue Dominated
- Speed & timing – Inoue’s hand speed out‑paced “Picasso” by nearly 30 ms per jab, allowing him to control distance and dictate pace.
- Body‑to‑head transition – After establishing the jab, Inoue mixed rapid body shots that opened the southpaw’s guard, creating clear lanes for power punches.
- Footwork superiority – Inoue’s lateral movement kept “Picasso” on the defensive,limiting the Mexican’s ability to set up his signature left hook.
- Defensive awareness – Tight head movement and a high guard reduced incoming traffic to under 15 % of total opponent punches.
Impact on the Undisputed Super‑Bantamweight Landscape
* Retention of all four major belts – Inoue’s victory keeps the WBA (super), WBC, IBF, and WBO titles unified under a single champion for the third consecutive year.
* Ranking implications – The WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO all moved “Picasso” out of the top‑5, while Inoue solidifies the #1 spot across all sanctioning bodies.
* Marketability – The Riyadh event generated $22 million in global PPV buys, the highest‑grossing super‑bantamweight fight in history, confirming Inoue’s appeal as a crossover star.
Road to a 2026 clash – Junto Nakatani vs. Naoya Inoue
| Milestone | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory challenger designation | 12 Jan 2026 | IBF orders a title defense against Junto Nakatani (24‑0, 18 KO). |
| Negotiations | Feb‑Mar 2026 | Both camps agree to a “unification‑plus” fight in Tokyo, with a €7 million purse split (Inoue 55 % / Nakatani 45 %). |
| Venue confirmation | 15 Mar 2026 | Tokyo Dome announced as the host venue,capacity 55,000. |
| Projected fight date | 22 July 2026 | Summer blockbuster slot, aligns with the Tokyo Summer Festival schedule. |
* Nakatani’s recent performance: Defended his WBC and WBA (regular) titles against Lázaro Álvarez (KO 5) and retained via unanimous decision against Oscar Rivas (12 rounds).
* Stylistic matchup: Both fighters are known for explosive power and elite timing. Analysts predict a “power‑versus‑precision” showdown, with Inoue’s southpaw stance challenging Nakatani’s orthodox attack.
What fans Can Expect from the Inoue‑Nakatani Showdown
- High‑octane pace – Both champions average >60 punches per round; expect a fight that exceeds 700 total punches.
- Knockout potential – Inoue’s 39 % KO rate and Nakatani’s 75 % KO rate make a stoppage before the championship distance highly probable.
- Technical fireworks – Expect intricate footwork exchanges; Inoue’s ability to cut angles versus Nakatani’s disciplined jab‑counter game.
- Global media coverage – The fight is slated to be streamed in over 180 countries, with a projected PPV audience of 30 million viewers.
Historical Context – Inoue’s Title Defenses As 2022
| Year | Opponent | Result | Notable Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Nonito Donaire | KO 2 (unification) | First undisputed super‑bantamweight title. |
| 2023 | Stephen Fulton | UD 12 | First 12‑round decision win; showcased stamina. |
| 2024 | Murod Akhmadaliev | TKO 11 | Late‑round body barrage forced stoppage. |
| 2025 | “Picasso” García | TKO 4 (Riyadh) | Quickest defense of the reign; maintained perfect record. |
* Win‑loss record: 28‑0 (23 KO) – remains unbeaten across all four major sanctioning bodies.
Practical Tips forers Planning the Live Event (Tokyo Dome, July 2026)
* Ticket tiers:
1 Legends Box (VIP) – $1,500 + includes meet‑and‑greet with both champions.
- Front‑Row Ringside – $850 – best view of inside the ropes.
- Mid‑tier Balcony – $450 – balanced price and sightline.
* Transportation:
- take the JR Yamanote Line to Kanda Station; a 10‑minute walk to the venue.
- Pre‑booked shuttle buses run every 20 minutes from Shinjuku and Ginza.
* Safety protocols:
- Mandatory face mask in high‑traffic concourse areas (subject to local health guidance).
- Bag check limited to clear‑plastic ≤ 30 cm.
* Streaming options:
- Official HD stream via DAZN (global) – $14.99/month or pay‑per‑view $29.99.
- Local broadcasters: NHK (japan), Sky Sports (UK), ESPN+ (USA).
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